ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Culture
The Culture Working Group  under India’s G20 Presidency, in association with UNESCO as the Knowledge Partner, organizes the second global thematic webinar on "Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future”
Living heritage bridges nature and cultural traditions and practices to provide sustainable and balanced solutions to contemporary global challenges”: Shri Govind Mohan
The Culture Working Group  under India’s G20 Presidency, in association with UNESCO as the Knowledge Partner, organized the second global thematic webinar on "Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future”
Shri Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and Chair, CWG, in his opening remarks at the webinar said, “Living heritage bridges nature and cultural traditions and practices to provide sustainable and balanced solutions to contemporary global challenges”. The webinar brought together 41 experts from 29 countries, including G20 members and guest nations, as well as 11 international organizations, who deliberated and shared experiences and best practices on the potential of living heritage in promoting sustainable development.
During the webinar, the importance of living heritage in preserving cultural diversity and promoting social cohesion, as well as its contribution to economic growth, was highlighted. The experts stressed on the need to strengthen documentation and improve research for the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural practices and knowledge systems. Furthermore, they emphasised on the need to prevent and tackle cultural appropriation, which deprives countries and local communities of sustainable livelihoods.
Many countries underlined the importance of preserving indigenous languages as they were seen to contain valuable knowledge and practices related to sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and traditional medicine, among others. Experts also shared examples of national policies aimed at safeguarding living heritage, notably supporting documentation, knowledge building and inventory creation, or sustaining the contribution of living heritage to ecological transition.
Several recommendations were made to the attention of the G20 membership, including the creation of a repository to map national policy schemes or case studies related to living heritage practices that contribute to sustainable development and addressing issues related to the misuse of intangible cultural heritage and cultural appropriation by transnational companies, among others.
A consolidated report of the four global thematic webinars will be produced and shared with G20 members, guest nations, and international organizations at the third CWG meeting, due in Hampi, Karnataka, from 15-18 July 2023. The aim of this report is to be a legacy of the joint work, deliberations, and discussions of the CWG process, with a view to ensure knowledge building over time. The remaining two global thematic webinars on priority three and four are scheduled for 19th and 20th April respectively.
PIB Headquarters
National Academy of Indian Railways  organised its 68thFoundation Day on 31st January 2019
National Academy of Indian Railways, Lalbaug, Vadodara is celebrating its 68th Foundation Day on 31stJanuary 2019. Prof.G. Raghuram, Director, I.I.M. Bangalore will be the Chief Guest of the function being organized under the leadership of Shri Pradeep Kumar, Director General of the academy. Function will be Presided by Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman Railway Board, New Delhi. During the Foundation Day function, ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ for the year 2018 will be presented to Shri R. K. Singh, an officer of Indian Railway Service of Engineers . Various medals and trophies will be also presented to the approx. 33 Railway officersand many other staff, who displayed their outstanding performances in various training programmes and other activities during the year 2018.
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President's Secretariat
President of India inaugurates 37th India International Trade Fair-2017
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 37th India International Trade Fair  -2017, today  in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that IITF is more than just a trade fair or exhibition. Commencing every year on November 14, it is a showcase of India on the global stage. It is also a symbol of India’s ancient and enduring commitment to international trade.
The President said that instinctively we have been an open society – free to trade winds and cultural exchanges. We have valued a liberal, rules-based international trading order. This is part of our DNA. And this is the legacy that modern India and IITF are building on.
The President said that this year’s IITF takes place at a point when India is recognised as one of the bright spots of the global economy. The world has acknowledged the changed business environment in India and the strides made in ease of doing business. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax has been a milestone. It has broken down barriers between states. It has provided a boost to the creation of a common market and a more formal economy as well as a stronger manufacturing sector. As a result of these efforts, there has been a sharp rise in FDI in the past three years – from US$ 36 billion in 2013-14 to US$ 60 billion in 2016-17.
The President said that 3,000 exhibitors, including 222 companies from abroad, are participating at IITF 2017. Thirty-two of India’s states and Union territories are represented. Institutions that are present range from self-help groups to big business houses, and from small and medium manufacturing enterprises to digital start-ups. IITF is a mini-India. It is a snapshot of the diversity and the sheer energy of this subcontinent.
The President said that the focus of India’s economic reforms and policies is to eliminate poverty and enhance the prosperity of millions of ordinary families. Trade must help common people. They are the ultimate stakeholders. The government of India’s key initiatives – such as Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Skill India, Smart Cities, and the resolve to double farmers’ incomes – are all an attempt to make economic reforms more meaningful to those at the grassroots.
Ministry of Defence
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR COMMAND CELEBRATES
WORLD HYDROGRAPHY DAY AT PORT BLAIR
Lieutenant General Ajai Singh, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief Andaman & Nicobar Command  participated in commemorating the Centenary of the World Hydrography Day on 21 Jun 2021. The occasion is celebrated by the Hydrographic fraternity of the Indian Navy every year through a series of coordinated events at the respective Commands to spread awareness of hydrography and its contribution in ensuring safe navigation at sea as well as to showcase achievements and contributions of the Indian Naval Hydrographic Organisation. The theme for the event this year is "100 years of International Cooperation in Hydrography".
The CINCAN appreciated the yeoman service by the Indian Naval Hydrographic Organisation in capacity building initiatives among littorals in the Indian Ocean Region through hydrographic surveys and providing world class training to personnel from friendly foreign nations. The surveys help in augmenting the Sagarmala project under the NITI AAYOG for sustainable development of A&N Islands.
The Hydrographic Survey Unit at Port Blair under HQ ANC is responsible for the surveys around the A&N Islands and is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the conduct, analysis and preparation of reports of hydrographic surveys. HSU  participates in various joint operations with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force within the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Unit has successfully conducted surveys for RCS 3.0 – UDAN, the prestigious Government of India project under regional connectivity by playing a vital role in identifying suitable sea plane landing sites at four locations in the Andaman group of islands at Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Hut Bay and Long Island, which will boost regional connectivity and tourism.
Indian Navy hydrography ships Sutlej from Southern Naval Command and Nirupak from Eastern Naval Command are currently deployed for hydrographic survey in Andaman and Nicobar Islands since April 2021. These ships utilise state-of-the-art Multi-beam Bathymetric Data Acquisition Systems to survey and update navigational charts of the A&N Islands. All Covid protocol measures were followed by the personnel present at the event.
ABBB/VM/MS
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President's Secretariat
President of India addresses the commemoration of 10th anniversary of partnership between Department of Biotechnology and Wellcome Trust
The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, graced and addressed the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and the Wellcome Trust today  in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President that as the partnership between the Department of Biotechnology and the Wellcome Trust completes its first decade, this is an opportune moment for the India Alliance to draft its priorities for the next phase. Today, through science and technology, humans wield unimaginable power over the future of our planet. We therefore have a responsibility like never before. And scientists, particularly bio-scientists, are our soldiers and generals in the battle to safeguard our planet, our species and our future.
The President suggested four frontlines in this battle. He said that the first is the environment. Our air, water and soil must be cleaned. While we do so, we must mitigate the consequences on human and livestock health. The second frontline is that of lifestyle diseases. Diabetes, hypertension and cardiac diseases are on the rise. In the quarter-century since 1990, the number of Indians living with diabetes grew from 26 million to 65 million. In the same period, the incidence of all cancers increased by almost 30 per cent. The third frontline is infectious disease. While we take on known infectious diseases, lesser-known ones threaten to expand. Disease, like science, knows no boundaries. Pandemic influenza viruses don’t need passports and visas to spread. On the other hand, the shrinking of animal habitats is creating room for zoonotic diseases and diseases that jump species. The final frontline is diseases of the brain. Factors that include urban stress and a significant elderly population have left India facing a mental health epidemic. Preventive measures, relevant to our genetics and our lifestyle, are in the realm of theory, waiting to be discovered. We must discover these if our people are to age well, with full mental capacities.
The President urged defining the future of the India Alliance on these four frontlines. He said that we are at the edge of an era of great hope as well as of great uncertainty. Personalised and precision medicine; genomic medicine; lab-generated organs; rationalising data privacy with data use for clinical research and the larger public good – issues such as these offer scope for our well-being but could also pose bioethical dilemmas as well as legal questions. Separately, but perhaps relatedly, there is the subject of regulation and policy framing. In India, in various fields, we have sometimes found a gap between those who are practitioners and those who are regulators. As the biosciences grow and evolve, more practitioners should come into regulatory roles as well.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Memorandum of Agreement signed between CGWB and CSIR-NGRI for High-Resolution Aquifer Mapping & Management in Arid Region of North-Western India
A Memorandum of Agreement  was signed todaybetween Central Ground Water Board , Ministry of Jal Shakti and CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad for use of advanced heliborne geophysical survey and other scientific studies in parts of the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana under the Aquifer Mapping Programme. The MoA was signed by Chairman, CGWB and Director, CSIR-NGRI in the august presence of the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, and Union Minister of Science and Technology,Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harshvardhan in New Delhi.
Under phase- I of the project, an area of nearly 1 lakh sq km spreading over nearly 65,500 sq km of western arid Rajasthan , 32,000 Sq. Km arid parts of Gujarat  and nearly 2500 sq km of Haryana  would be covered at an estimated cost of 54 Crores.
The major objectives of the study include High resolution aquifer mapping using heliborne geophysical studies, including identification ofSites for artificial recharge,3D Geophysical model, Geophysical Thematic maps at horizontal and vertical plains, Aquifer Geometry of principal aquifer with demarcation of de-saturated and saturated aquifers,Aquifer system with relatively fresh and saline zones; Spatial and depth wise distribution of paleochannel network if any and its linkage with aquifer system; Selecting suitable sites for groundwater withdrawal and water conservation through artificial or managed aquifer recharge.
This is the first time Ministry of Jal Shakti has decided to use the state of the art technology for identification of aquifers in such a large arid/semi-arid area of the country. The study is likely to generate groundwater data in very short time period and will help CGWB in expeditiously finalizing the groundwater management plan in above mentioned water stressed areas. The findings of the study would help in formulating site specific plans for improving ground water levels in the water stressed areas and charter the road map for sustainable management of ground water resources.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Press Communique
Vide notifications dated 06.12.2022, in exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Tashi Rabstan, senior-most Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with effect from 08.12.2022 consequent upon the retirement of Shri Justice Ali Mohd Magrey, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Extension of the validity of documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 till 31st Oct, 2021
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued advisories dated 30th March, 2020, 9th June, 2020 , 24th Aug 2020, 27th Dec 2020 ,26 March 2021 and 17 June 2021 regarding extension of validity of documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. It was advised that the validity of Fitness, Permit , License, Registration or any other concerned document might be treated to be valid till 30 Sept, 2021.
Taking into consideration the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is further advised that all of above referred documents may be treated to be valid till 31st of Oct, 2021. This covers all documents whose validity has expired since 1st Feb, 2020 or would expire by 31st of Oct 2021, Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till 31st of Oct 2021. This will help out citizens in availing transport related services, while maintaining social distancing.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Regional Aadi Mahotsav in Rourkela,Odisha concludes today
The event witnessed participation of 275 artisans from different parts of the country
The closing ceremony of the ongoing regional Aadi Mahotsav organized in collaboration with Steel Authority of India Limited, Rourkela Steel Plant at SAIL Exhibition Ground, Rourkela, Odisha was held today in the august presence of Smt. Kusum Tete, MLA, Sundargarh, Shr Pabitra Kumar Kanhar, Vice Chairperson, BOD-TRIFED and Sh. P. K. Satpathy, Executive Director, SAIL and other dignitaries.
The event was inaugurated on 07.04.2023 by Sh. Jual Oram, MP, Sundargarh and Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. Shri Anand Nayak, Member, NCST was also present during inauguration. The event has witnessed participation of 275 artisans from different parts of the country to showcase their craft, culture and cuisine that includes stalls put up by VDVKs, PVTGs, FPOs, GI Tag Stalls, Millet Stalls, etc.
Apart from the craft stalls and artisans, the event has also witnessed cultural performances by around 140 tribal performers over a period of 09 days on daily basis belonging to various tribes namely Santhal, Dharua, Paroja, Oram, Kissan, Paudi Bhuyan , Dongria Kandh  and Kutia Kandh .
The closing ceremony also marked the launch of ODOP wherein the ODOP products selected i.e. Pattachitra painting  from Puri district and Bomkai Saree from Sonepur district were displayed by their artisans. The launch took place in the presence of dignitaries.
Such events have served a purpose of providing direct market and customer access to small artisans who hitherto could not sell their products. There were 60 first time participants. Such first time participants have been immensely motivated by participation in the event and are now determined to increase their production and in turn enhance their income which is the intended purpose of such events.
Cabinet
Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and France on Technical Cooperation in the field of railways
The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding  between the Indian Railways and SNCF Mobilites  on Technical Cooperation in the field of Railways. The MoU was signed on 10th March, 2018.
The MoUs provide a platform for Indian Railways to interact and share the latest developments and knowledge in the railway sector. The MoUs facilitate exchange of technical experts, reports and technical documents, training and seminars/workshops focusing on specific technology areas and other interactions for knowledge sharing.
The MoU will provide a framework of cooperation for focused approach in following key areas :-
1. High speed and semi-high speed rail;
2. Station renovation and operations;
3. Modernisation of current operations and infrastructure;
4. Suburban trains.
Background:
Ministry of Railways have signed MoUs for technical cooperation in the Rail sector with various foreign Governments and National Railways. The identified areas of cooperation among others, include high speed corridors, speed raising of existing routes, development of world class stations, heavy haul operations and modernization of rail infrastructure, etc. The cooperation is achieved through exchange of information on developments in areas of railways technology & operations, knowledge sharing, technical visits, training & seminars and workshops in areas of mutual interest.
Special Service and Features
Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture visits CMFRI
Kochi: A delegation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing visited the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  here on Friday. Headed by PC Gaddigoudar, Loksabha Member from Bagalkot constituency in Karnataka, the panel visited various research facilities at the institute, including laboratories and interacted with scientists to assess CMFRI’s research programmes on marine fisheries and allied areas. The committee consisted of six Members of Parliament and other officials, including Uttam Chand Bharadwaj, Secretary to the delegation.
The committee was briefed on CMFRI's works encompassing marine capture fisheries; mariculture activities like cage fish farming, seaweed farming, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and technology development for breeding commercially important marine fishes; marine biodiversity and environment management; fish genetics and marine biotechnology; socio-economic aspects and extension activities, etc.
CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan and the Heads of various divisions discussed the institute's plans for the future, emphasising its efforts to maintain the sustainability of the marine fisheries with the committee members. The panel was impressed with CMFRI's research and its contributions to the development of the marine fisheries sector in India. They said that the institute is playing a vital role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable fisheries.
Besides the Committee Chairman, the panel comprised MPs Dr Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde, Masthan Rao Beeda, Ram Nath Thakur, Devendra Singh and Ramilaben Becharbhai Bara.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM inaugurates, launches development works in Baripada, Odisha
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Baripada, in Odisha today.
He unveiled a digital plaque to mark the commencement of work for conservation and development of Rasika Ray Temple, and Excavated Structure at Ancient Fort Haripurgarh.
He laid the Foundation Stone for three National Highway projects.
He dedicated to the nation, the Balasore-Haldia-Durgapur section of the Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur LPG pipeline of IOCL. He also inaugurated the Multi Modal Logistic Park at Balasore, and six Passport Sewa Kendras.
He also flagged off the second passenger train from Tatanagar to Badampahar.
Addressing the gathering, he said the total worth of projects inaugurated, or for which the Foundation Stone was laid today, is over Rs. 4000 crore.
He said the Union Government is focusing on infrastructure development, which will make a fundamental difference in the lives of the common man.
He said the Balasore-Haldia-Durgapur LPG pipeline, will ensure easy supply of LPG in parts of Odisha and West Bengal, saving transportation cost and time.
He emphasized the importance of connectivity, in the 21st century. He said unprecedented investment is being made in the creation of modern infrastructure and connectivity in India. He said that emphasis is on road, rail and air connectivity, even in Odisha. He said enhanced rail connectivity will facilitate movement of people and make mineral resources more accessible to industry.
The Prime Minister said that the maximum benefit of enhanced infrastructure will be for the middle class, and the medium enterprises of the country. He said modern roads, clean trains and economical air travel, all contribute to ease of living for the middle class.
The Prime Minister said that in the last four and a half years, the Union Government has attempted to reduce the difficulty faced by people in obtaining passports. He said that the six Passport Sewa Kendras being inaugurated today, are a step in this direction. He described this as another effort towards "ease of living."
The Prime Minister said that the Government has also been making efforts at conserving the rich cultural heritage of the country. He said sites related to faith, spirituality and history; along with the knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda, are being actively publicized and promoted. In this context he mentioned the commencement of work today, for the Rasika Ray Temple, and the Excavated Structure at Ancient Fort Haripurgarh. He said such efforts by the Government are helping boost tourism.
Special Service and Features
NEP 2020: IGNOU invites applications for professional development programme
Indira Gandhi National Open University  has announced a six-day professional development programme on National Education Policy  2020 for College and University teachers. The programme shall be conducted in various batches, and a teacher can register for any suitable batch. Teachers can register online through the web link: https://ignou-nep-pdp.samarth.ac.in/ .
The certification on successful completion of the programme shall be useful for career advancement requirements specified by UGC. Any teacher of any Higher Education Institute in India can register and participate in the Professional Development Programme on National Education Policy-2020.
For further details contact IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum, Rajadhani Building, Killippalam, Karamana. P.O, Thiruvananthapuram 695002, Ph: 0471-2344113/2344120/9447044132 Email: rctrivandrum@ignou.ac.in.